Chief Ronald Mitsuing ordered a state of crisis and emergency on Thursday night. (Nicole Reis/meadowlakeNOW Staff) 

By Nicole Reis

Community in Crisis

Local First Nations residents continue to suffer from generational trauma

Nov 22, 2019 | 5:54 PM

Community leaders at Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation are sharing their devastation in the midst of what they are calling a suicide crisis.

Among all nine First Nations within Meadow Lake Tribunal Council, the Makwa Sahgaiehcan community said it had the highest rate of suicide with seven deaths in the last three years. The latest and youngest victim is a 10-year-old girl who died this week.

“We need training on how to deal with suicidal kids. We don’t know what they’re thinking or what’s bothering them. They don’t tell anyone and I’m worried about copycatting,” Chief Ronald Mitsuing told meadowlakeNOW.

Suicides prompt State of Crisis on Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation

Band members and health professionals from around Loon Lake arrived Friday to show their support for the Indigenous community.

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Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation School. (Nicole Reis/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

Andrew Bear is a holistic therapist and offered his support free of charge among other medical professionals who came out during the crisis to show solidarity.

“I train frontline workers, that’s my specialty,” Bear said. “Unfortunately in Canada, a lot of our front line workers aren’t trained properly, and that’s why we have some of these problems.”

He said he isn’t sure what the root cause of the community’s suffering is, but suggested today’s children are suffering as a result of generational Indigenous suffering.

CEO and Executive Director of Makwa Sahgaiehcan First Nation Barry Chalifoux. ( Nicole Reis/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

Communication Needed

Barry Chalifoux is the executive director and CEO of the First Nation. He said the local elementary school is over-crowded, underfunded and there is not a regional and provincial suicide prevention strategy in place.

“When you look at the history of what First Nations people went through, a lot of it was to shut them down from expressing their emotions and shut them down from communicating. So we have families one or two generations later that don’t know how to communicate or show emotion,” he said.

“Not everyone, but there’s a lot across Canada struggling with this. Children are getting vicarious trauma because parents and grandparents aren’t communicating properly with kids. These kids aren’t receiving the emotional, physical and mental supports they need.”

Map of Loon Lake is on display in the community (Nicole Reis/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

Chief Mitsuing said parents need to be more involved in their children’s lives because parental suffering affects children in the community.

“Communicate with your children and tell them you love them. Communicate on a daily basis and support them anyway you can,” the chief said in an emotional statement.

Educational Concerns Highlighted

Mitsuing highlighted some concerns with the educational system, which may also overwhelm students.

“This year we had an abundance of students we didn’t expect. Now classes are overcrowded and students can’t learn that well.

“I think teachers are also overwhelmed by overcrowding,” Elder Roy Mitsuing added.

At the community elementary school Friday, students and staff were all affected by the sudden loss of life in the community. Students and teachers stopped to offer hugs to one another and a support dog was in the arms of children to help them cope.

Fifth grade teacher, Audrey Macleod said kids at this age level don’t usually talk about what is going on at home.

“We need more counsellors available in schools and perhaps parenting courses for parents of children who are struggling. We need support for kids mostly,” she said. “This is probably the worst day ever.”

In a statement issued Friday afternoon, the province announced it would provide specialist assistance. The statement said, in part:

The Saskatchewan Health Authority is prepared to offer mental health and addictions staff who are trained in suicide risk assessment, in particular any assessments for other children in the community to ensure they have the supports they need.

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) said in a press release they were working hard to ensure youth are supported and protected through this crisis.

“The FSIN Suicide Prevention Strategy was created to save the lives of our people and our children suffering within our nations. It needs to be implemented immediately and we are calling on all levels of government to ensure that it is,” FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said.

The FSIN Suicide Prevention Strategy can be obtained here.

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If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or is in crisis, you can contact the 24-hour Prince Albert Mobile Crisis unit at (306) 764-1011 or the First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310. Services are offered in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktuk by request 24/7.

Warning Signs of Suicide:
• Suicidal threats
• Statements revealing a desire to die
• Previous suicide attempts
• Sudden changes in behaviour (withdrawal, apathy, moodiness)
• Depression (crying, sleeplessness, loss of appetite, hopelessness)
• Final arrangements (such as giving away personal possessions)

Communities in need of mental health crisis counselling services can call 1-866-885-3933 ext. 4 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Monday to Friday.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

@nicolereis7722